2012 Audi Q5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
80/100
#4 most-complained of 16 Q5 years
The 2012 Audi Q5 ranks 4th worst out of 16 model years with a Complaint Index of 80, driven mainly by 168 complaints, 51% of them airbag-related. NHTSA also lists 6 recalls, including two separate frontal airbag inflator recalls. Verdict: Avoid, relative to other Q5 years.
- Complaints
- 168
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 25 hwy
Top 2012 Audi Q5 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags85 (51%)
- Engine49 (29%)
- Fuel System23 (14%)
- Other10 (6%)
- Structure & Body9 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers7 (4%)
- Electrical System6 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (2%)
- Brakes3 (2%)
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy during crashes at highway speeds, including one case at 55 mph and another where the driver struck a tree.
- Engine surged to wide-open throttle unexpectedly while parking or entering a garage, causing drivers to stand on the brake to stop the vehicle.
- Engine revved to between 4,000 and 5,000 rpm on its own after being shifted into neutral following a sudden forward lurch.
- Windshield wipers stopped moving entirely when the vehicle came to a stop while set to the slow setting, restarting only after a delay or once the car moved again.
- The vehicle stalled while idling at a traffic light and displayed a 'change key battery' warning, restarting only after pressing the key fob.
- Xenon/LED headlamps flickered and wavered when headlamps were switched on, but not with daytime running lights.
2012 Audi Q5 recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V818000Nov 19, 2018Fuel System5,987 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Audi Q7 and 2009-2012 Audi Q5 vehicles, previously repaired under NHTSA recall 16V-660. These vehicles were previously repaired with an interim repair of installing butyl tape to the fuel pump flange, until replacement remedy parts became available.
Risk: The butyl tape may not prevent fuel from leaking. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange and install butyl tape, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20BJ.
- NHTSA 18V082000Jan 30, 2018Airbags162,782 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
- NHTSA 17V001000Jan 3, 2017Airbags234,057 vehicles
Air bags:side/window
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. The sunroof drainage system may allow water to soak into the foam surrounding the side head air bag inflator canister resulting in the corrosion of the canister. If this happens, the corrosion can weaken the canister and the inflator could fracture without air bag deployment, propelling fragments into the passenger compartment, striking and causing serious injury to vehicle occupants.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator and either coat it or replace it, as necessary, after removing the surrounding foam, free of charge. The recall is expected to began March 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69P1.
2012 Audi Q5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,825
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other Q5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Audi Q5 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 Q5 ranks 4th worst of 16 model years with a Complaint Index of 80, so it is rated Avoid relative to other Q5 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2012 Audi Q5?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 85 of 168 complaints (51%), with a median failure mileage of 50,000 miles.
- Does the 2012 Audi Q5 have airbag recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists multiple airbag-related recalls covering the 2012 Q5, including 18V082000 and 16V078000 for driver frontal airbag inflator replacement, plus 17V001000 for a sunroof drainage issue affecting the side head airbag inflator.
- How many complaints and recalls does the 2012 Audi Q5 have?
- NHTSA lists 168 complaints and 6 recalls for the 2012 Audi Q5, with 3 crashes and 2 injuries reported and no do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2012 Q5 compare to other years?
- The 2012 Q5 has a Complaint Index of 80, higher than 2010 (33, Good), 2013 (27, Good), and 2017 (0, Best), placing it among the worse years for this model.